Explore conspiracy theories with Dominique Byron's striking new print series

Author: Ashleigh Allsopp

Author: Illustrator Dominique Byron has created a new set of prints based on conspiracy theories.

Illustrator, designer and Digital Arts contributor Dominique Byron has created a striking new set of prints based on conspiracy theories.

Designed as part of an exhibition at Manchester's Kosmonaut Bar venue, each of Dominique's prints represents a different conspiracy theory, from well-known conspiracies like the Bermuda Triangle to more obscure ideas like the mysterious disappearance of bees.

Dominique chose conspiracy theories as a theme for the new series because it's a subject that intrigues her and that she wanted to explore visually. "I love the research aspect of projects, so it gave me the opportunity to learn about all sorts of intriguing theories and cover ups; it was then a challenge to try and fit the ideas in to one image," she tells us. "I think I've only just scratched the surface."

Each image was made entirely in Photoshop, incorporating some scanned textures, patterns and marks.

Use the slideshow controls above and right to see all six of Dominique's new illustrations.

Right: The Devil's Triangle. Dominique explains:"The Devil's Triangle aka the Bermuda Triangle, is an area in the Atlantic ocean where many plans and ships have mysteriously gone missing, such as the five Avenger planes that went missing in 1945, or the USS Cyclops that also disappeared in 1918, or so legend had it. Some suggested reason for the disappearances are magnetic anomalies playing havoc with compasses, an underwater trench, bad weather and earthquakes."

Step 1

Illustrator, designer and Digital Arts contributor Dominique Byron has created a striking new set of prints based on conspiracy theories.

Designed as part of an exhibition at Manchester's Kosmonaut Bar venue, each of Dominique's prints represents a different conspiracy theory, from well-known conspiracies like the Bermuda Triangle to more obscure ideas like the mysterious disappearance of bees.

Dominique chose conspiracy theories as a theme for the new series because it's a subject that intrigues her and that she wanted to explore visually. "I love the research aspect of projects, so it gave me the opportunity to learn about all sorts of intriguing theories and cover ups; it was then a challenge to try and fit the ideas in to one image," she tells us. "I think I've only just scratched the surface."

Each image was made entirely in Photoshop, incorporating some scanned textures, patterns and marks.

Use the slideshow controls above and right to see all six of Dominique's new illustrations.

Right: The Devil's Triangle. Dominique explains:"The Devil's Triangle aka the Bermuda Triangle, is an area in the Atlantic ocean where many plans and ships have mysteriously gone missing, such as the five Avenger planes that went missing in 1945, or the USS Cyclops that also disappeared in 1918, or so legend had it. Some suggested reason for the disappearances are magnetic anomalies playing havoc with compasses, an underwater trench, bad weather and earthquakes."

Step 2

Right: Missing in Action. "Scientists have noticed that many of the bees that pollinate the world's crops have been leaving home and not returning but nobody really knows why. The image represents the ideas that GM crops and engineering of new crops and pesticides could be affecting the bees, and another theory suggests mobile phone towers have some effect on the bees' navigation."

Step 3

Right: Blackout Bowl XL VII. "There was a blackout at the 2013 Superbowl, that some have suggested wasn't just a mere accident. Perhaps it had something to do with the 49ers who were down a good few points before the blackout occurred?"

Step 4

Right: Area 51. "This image represents all the activities that are suspected to have taken place in the secret government facility of Area 51," explains Dominique. "The main shape of the image represents the shape of Nevada (which loosely resembles an alien head) and contains graphics representing time travel, transportation, weather control, stealth jets, sonic weapons testing, secret meetings and other alien phenomenon."

Step 5

Right: Chemtrails. "The theory that the exhaust trails from the back of aeroplanes are in fact just a cover for mass chemical and drug testing."

Step 6

Right: Phantom Time. "The theory says that the years between 614 and 911AD may not have actually happened due to discrepancies in dating methods, or by conscious effort by medieval historians to move the date forward by forging evidence."